Many of the countries where coronaviruses and influenza viruses emerge from wildlife—particularly birds and bats—lack the means to identify the agents in humans or animal reservoirs, increasing the risk that the viruses could cause pandemics in humans, according to a series of presenters before a federal advisory panel on disease issues. Travel, trade, ecologic change, and urbanization are among human-source factors that increase risk, and better surveillance and faster responses could reduce health risks.

AVMA

AVMA President Clark K. Fobian spoke with JAVMA News about how serving as the Association’s top officer has shaped his view of the AVMA and the veterinary profession. He also explains why he now embraces efforts to reform the AVMA’s governance structure after he initially saw little need for change.

Issues

Hundreds of antimicrobial products will no longer be available for livestock production benefits by 2017, and the affected drugs will be available only to treat, control, or prevent specific diseases through a prescription or veterinary feed directive, which is similar to a prescription. The FDA announced in March that 25 pharmaceutical companies have agreed to those changes, and an executive for the only other company affected by the agency request for such actions said his company would consider joining the initiative.

Practice

An analysis of data from 4,106 animal hospitals across the country found that 23 percent had an increase in revenues of more than 10 percent from 2012-2013. Of those, 44 percent also had an increase in revenues of more than 10 percent from 2011-2012. The American Animal Hospital Association released the results during its yearly conference in March as part of its annual State of the Industry report. The analysis found that revenues increased at 73 percent of hospitals from 2012-2013.

Community

Dr. Ralph C. Richardson, dean of the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, says after 16 years he will step down no later than summer of next year and assume a faculty position. Dr. Richardson added he hopes to use his abilities in program building and his background in comparative medicine to continue strengthening collaborative programs that benefit K-State.